Kevin Durant Gets Brutally Honest About Steve Nash Firing

Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets, NBA Trade Rumors
NBA Analysis Network

The Brooklyn Nets didn’t wait very long to make a big move this NBA offseason as head coach Steve Nash and the organization mutually agreed to part ways on Tuesday. The decision came the day after the Nets had won their second game of the season, defeating the Indiana Pacers on Halloween Monday night.

There was turmoil throughout the offseason, as it was a surprise that Nash even made it through the summer. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving both reportedly wanted him fired despite Nash being the person they helped hand-pick to replace Kenny Atkinson, who they also had a big part in having fired.

Despite how things may have gone previously, the decision for Nash to no longer be the head coach of the team is something that shocked Durant. The two had developed a relationship while with the Golden State Warriors and he spoke about the change following Brooklyn’s 108-99 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night.

“You’re always shocked when a move like this happens,” Durant said following the team’s loss to Chicago. “But it’s normal in the NBA. It’s about getting ready for the game tonight. It’s a quick turn always in the league, especially during the season. You’ve got practice, games coming up, so you can’t think too much about it. It was on my mind for a little bit today.”

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Not only was the decision for Nash to leave shocking, but who the Nets are pursuing to replace him will also raise some eyebrows. Brooklyn is working hard to bring in Ime Udoka as their next head coach. Yes, the same Udoka who is currently suspended by the Boston Celtics.

That is just another distraction being added to a team full of them, as Irving has also found himself in hot water after sharing anti-semitic videos on his Twitter account. Given all of the things going on, can anyone really blame Nash for wanting out? Durant provided some insight on why he believed things didn’t work out during Nash’s tenure with the team as well.

“We didn’t have a healthy team. We just didn’t play well,” Durant said. “And that’s what happens in the league. S–t happens. That doesn’t take away from Steve’s basketball IQ, how he teaches the game. I don’t think that takes away from anything. It just didn’t work out.”

LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kevin Durant, Steve Nash & Brooklyn Nets Updates

Durant also shared that he enjoyed working with Nash and liked the coaching staff. He doesn’t believe Nash was given a fair chance given everything that has surrounded the franchise during his tenure there.

Alas, the NBA is a performance-driven profession and Nash just wasn’t getting the job done in the eyes of ownership and management and based on what general manager Sean Marks said, it didn’t sound like Nash felt he was capable of getting the job done any longer.

LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kevin Durant, Steve Nash & Brooklyn Nets Updates

So, a change was made and the Nets will hope that Udoka, who has worked previously with Durant, Irving and Ben Simmons, can do a better job of galvanizing the roster and leading the team to success.

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